Hotei is best known internationally for his song "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" , which has been used in numerous films, commercials, and video games, most notably Quentin Tarantino's feature film Kill Bill.
Born to a Korean father and a Japanese/Russian mother, Hotei first began playing the guitar in junior high school. In high school, his band Blue Film finished runners up in a school contest to Death Penalty, a band led by Kyosuke Himuro. Hotei was expelled shortly before graduation. The reason was that, when warned about his long hair he replied “Jesus had long hair!” Shortly after, he went to Tokyo where one day he received a phone call from Himuro. The two had never really known each other but hit it off and went on to hold auditions for a new band, which in 1981 became the six-member BOØWY. The band became major stars in Japan, in 1985 played the Marquee in London, and in 1986 had their first million seller, Beat Emotion.
When the band broke up in 1988, Hotei established himself as a solo star, as did Himuro. Hotei also made two albums with Koji Kikkawa as Complex, both of which went to number one in the national charts. Hotei frequently records overseas and has collaborated with many foreign musicians, including playing on The Stranglers Hugh Cornwell’s 1993 solo album, on stage with David Bowie at Nippon Budokan in 1996, and at the closing ceremony of the Atlanta 1996 Centennial Olympic Games with Michael Kamen.
He later recorded “Guitar Concerto” with Kamen. He has also worked with Andy Mackay of Roxy Music, guitarist Chris Spedding and Mike Edwards of Jesus Jones. Hotei also sometimes plays in Europe, including a number of major festivals. His regular drummer in recent years, Zachary Alford, has previously played with Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie. Hotei's 1998 album Supersonic Generation, recorded in part with Apollo 440 and Ofra Haza, was released in 14 European countries.
In addition to many bestselling solo albums, Hotei composed and performed the score for Hiroyuki Nakano’s Samurai Fiction, as well as starring in the film. He composed the score to Terry Gilliam’s feature film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas together with Ray Cooper. Hotei's song “Battle Without Honor or Humanity” was used in the Quentin Tarantino’s feature film Kill Bill, the PlayStation 2 version of Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA,and Michael Bay’s feature film Transformers. Hotei recorded a cover of John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” for Merry Axemas, an instrumental guitar Christmas album featuring tracks from guitarists including Jeff Beck, Joe Perry, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai and Steve Morse.
The Nintendo DS game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan features his song "Thrill". The game's sequel, Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii, features another Hotei song, "Bambina". (Both songs are cover versions.) Hotei is featured in “Grace” on the Apocalyptica album Worlds Collide. The song is featured in the game NHL 09.
Mr. Lonely
布袋寅泰 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm just a friend of yours,
Oh yeah I know...
Hey Hey Hey...
What can I do for you
彼女と喧嘩でもして
落ち込んでるって顔じゃないね?
Hey Hey Hey...
世界の中の憂鬱を独り占めしないで
笑えないその理由俺にも分けてくれ
Hey Mr.Lonely What you gonna do?
いつものBARに行こうか?
Hey Hey Hey...
飲み明かそうぜ my friend
わがまま放題に生きてる俺達は
成功と絶望の崖っぷちにいる
傷つくことに怯えずに生きてゆく
それが俺達の暗黙の約束だろ?
Mr.Only the lonely
Can't you see the light in the
universe
落ち込んでも始まらない
お前らしく笑えよ
天使と悪魔が戦う場所が心
雨の日も太陽は
きっとどこかにいる
どんなに苦しく切ない時代でも
哀しみだけが生き残ることはない
Mr.Only the lonely
Can't you see the light in the
universe
うなだれるあきらめてる
お前なんか見たくない
傷つくことに怯えずに生きてゆく
それが俺達の暗黙の約束だろ?
Mr.Only the lonely
Can't you see the light in the
universe
落ち込んでも始まらない
お前らしく笑えよ
Hey Mr.Lonely What you gonna do?
The lyrics of 布袋寅泰's song Mr.Lonely is a message of comfort and support to someone who is feeling lonely and downhearted. The song tells the story of a group of friends who reach out to their lonely friend and try to cheer him up. The lyrics open with the chorus, "Hey Mr. Lonely, what you gonna do? I'm just a friend of yours, oh yeah I know." This verse sets the tone of the song as the singer tries to reach out to the lonely person and understand what's going on in their mind. The next few verses continue to explore the theme of loneliness and the interconnectedness of all people. The lyrics also suggest that even in difficult times, the friendships and connections we have with others can offer support and hope.
As the lyrics progress, the singer suggests going to a bar and drinking together with friends. This is shown as a way to forget all of life's difficulties and celebrate their friendship. However, the lyrics also acknowledge that they are living on the edge of success and disappointment, and they must embrace life's difficulties and live with courage.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Mr. Only the lonely," reminding listeners to reach out to those who feel isolated.
Overall, the lyrics of Mr. Lonely are a message of hope, reminding the listener that even in dark times, people are not alone and that there is light in the universe.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Mr.Lonely What you gonna do?
Asking the lonely person what they plan to do next to lift themselves up.
I'm just a friend of yours,
Acknowledging being a friend to the lonely person.
Oh yeah I know...
Stating that the singer understands the loneliness the person feels.
Hey Hey Hey...
Just a filler lyric in the song.
What can I do for you
Asking how the artist can help the lonely person.
彼女と喧嘩でもして 落ち込んでるって顔じゃないね? Hey Hey Hey... なんとか言えよ my friend
Asking the person if they are sad because of a fight with their girlfriend and telling them to speak up if they need help.
世界の中の憂鬱を独り占めしないで 笑えないその理由俺にも分けてくれ
Telling the person not to keep their sadness to themselves and to share the reasons why they cannot smile.
Hey Mr.Lonely What you gonna do?
Repeating the question of what the lonely person plans to do to escape their loneliness.
いつものBARに行こうか? Hey Hey Hey... 飲み明かそうぜ my friend
Suggesting going to the usual bar and drinking with the lonely person.
わがまま放題に生きてる俺達は 成功と絶望の崖っぷちにいる 傷つくことに怯えずに生きてゆく それが俺達の暗黙の約束だろ?
Acknowledging that the artist and the lonely person are living self-centered lives and that they are on the edge of success and despair. Encouraging them to keep living without fear of getting hurt, it's their implicit promise.
Mr.Only the lonely Can't you see the light in the universe 落ち込んでも始まらない お前らしく笑えよ
Telling the person that only they can see the light in the universe and they shouldn't let their sadness prevent them from smiling.
天使と悪魔が戦う場所が心 雨の日も太陽は きっとどこかにいる どんなに苦しく切ない時代でも 哀しみだけが生き残ることはない
Describing the heart as a battleground for angels and demons, and reminding the person that even on rainy days, the sun is always shining somewhere. Telling them that sadness is not the only thing that will survive in difficult times.
Mr.Only the lonely Can't you see the light in the universe うなだれるあきらめてる お前なんか見たくない 傷つくことに怯えずに生きてゆく それが俺達の暗黙の約束だろ?
Reminding the person that they are the only ones who can see the light in the universe, and that they should not give up and become disheartened. Telling them to keep living without fear of getting hurt; it's their implicit promise.
Mr.Only the lonely Can't you see the light in the universe 落ち込んでも始まらない お前らしく笑えよ
Repeating that the lonely person is the only one who can see the light in the universe and encouraging them to smile and not let their sadness get the best of them.
Hey Mr.Lonely What you gonna do?
Repeating the question of what the lonely person intends to do next to lift themselves up.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: hotei tomoyasu
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind